vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Maybe" is an adverb which is often translated as "tal vez", and "yes" is an interjection which is often translated as "sí". Learn more about the difference between "maybe" and "yes" below.
maybe(
mey
-
bi
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I'm not sure if I can go yet. - Shall I put you down as a maybe then?No estoy segura todavía de si podré ir. - ¿Te pongo entonces como quizá?
Is that a yes then? - No, it's a maybe.¿Entonces tu respuesta es que sí? - No, más bien diría que tal vez.
yes(
yehs
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).